Research Methods and Data Analysis for Business Decisions: A Primer Using SPSS [Hardcover]

This introductory textbook presents research methods and data analysis tools in non-technical language. It explains the research process and the basics of qualitative and quantitative data analysis, including procedures and methods, analysis, interpretation, and applications using hands-on data examples in QDA Miner Lite and IBM SPSS Statistics software. The book is divided into four parts that address study and research design; data collection, qualitative methods and surveys; statistical methods, including hypothesis testing, regression, cluster and factor analysis; and reporting. The intended audience is business and social science students learning scientific research methods, however, given its business context, the book will be equally useful for decision-makers in businesses and organizations.

Preface.- Part 1: Designing the Study.- Chapter 1: Research Methods and Philosophy of Science.- Chapter 2: The Research Process and Problem Formulation.- Chapter 3: Research Design.- Part 2: Data Collection.- Chapter 4: Secondary Data and Observation.- Chapter 5: Qualitative Methods.- Chapter 6: Questionnaire Surveys.- Chapter 7: Sampling.- Part 3: Quantitative Data Analysis.- Chapter 8: Simple Analysis Techniques.- Chapter 9: Hypothesis Testing.- Chapter10: Regression Analysis.- Chapter 11: Cluster Analysis and Segmentation.- Chapter 12: Factor Analysis.- Part 4: Reporting.- Chapter 13: Reporting Findings.- Index.

James Sallis is a Professor at the Department of Business Studies at Uppsala University, Sweden. He teaches marketing, research methods, and statistics in the undergraduate, graduate, and executive education programs. He is statistical advisor for the department's faculty and students and is a frequent guest lecturer at business schools worldwide.

Geir Gripsrud is Professor Emeritus atl#